And on that note, he's still getting used to playing consecutive days but hopefully his stamina will have improved since Rotterdam. Fortunately his match against Sousa wasn't quite as taxing for him as the one against Thiem was. Also he has a psychological advantage over Simon.

Andy in three but expect a slow start and one or two hiccups along the way. Apart from his natural tendency to inconsistency, his form isn't 100% there yet, although he'll up his game when he has to.

They are but that also means that they have loads of points to defend.

You are right but it is Nadal most at risk as he has 5600 points to defend up to and including the French Open. Novak has under half of those so might get to overtake Rafa but they will still be probably well above the others. There are 5 of the 1000 events up to Roland Garros so big points available. Including the French Open all the players ranked 3-8 have not too different points totals to defend. Del Potro has the least but is injured so may not be able to go out and earn more, but Ferrer has the most with over 2000 to defend including RG. Andy although a winner in Miami has only 1460. This is why I am confident that he will overtake Ferrer before the grass season. Staying ahead up to US Open may be harder as the grass is Andy's big scoring period but he should go back ahead of others when playing tournaments missed last year through his injury and operation.

I hope for a win, be it in three or better two. Though he might have the psychological advantage over Simon, I do not see a win as an automatism. The stats were no help against Cilic either. The scheduling is not very favourable for us Europeans. To get up at 5 or 6 in the morning is somehow feasible, yet at 3? For Andy it may be better than playing around midnight.

If Andy plays as aggressive off the ground as he did today, but made a few less errors, this should be fairly straight forward as I don't think Gilles is in top form either after being injured on and off.

A really interesting conversation with Jamie and Petch on Sky today. Among other things they were saying that Andy will be happy with his last two matches and where his recovery is at the moment. Jamie was saying that the more matches he plays the more Andy will 'trust his back'.

Interestingly, they were both as bewildered about the umpire's decision in the Sousa match as we all were - felt that at the very least the point should have been replayed. Andy was very gracious about it in his interview.

Just watched the replay of the Sousa match. I quite fancy Andy to win this tournament. He's getting better with every match.

For all the talk of doom, here's an interesting statistic. Andy has a win-lose record in 2014 of 11-3, which is a win ratio of 3.67. That's actually better than his entire career to date, which is 431-134 or 3.22.

A really interesting conversation with Jamie and Petch on Sky today. Among other things they were saying that Andy will be happy with his last two matches and where his recovery is at the moment. Jamie was saying that the more matches he plays the more Andy will 'trust his back'.

Perhaps he should go for the win against Gilles Simon with a little more determination just to stop us all deliberating on when he is fit enough and what his ranking is. Beating him assures Andy a place no lower than 6 which is an improvement for his ranking and if everyone accepts he can play at least three days in a row he might have less comment in the media constantly talking about it. I can remember when I was recovering from a serious accident it was the constant reminders that delayed the final point when recovery was complete! That is when you are no longer compensating for the original problem or being hypersensitive to any sensations in the body?

Just watched the replay of the Sousa match. I quite fancy Andy to win this tournament. He's getting better with every match.

For all the talk of doom, here's an interesting statistic. Andy has a win-lose record in 2014 of 11-3, which is a win ratio of 3.67. That's actually better than his entire career to date, which is 431-134 or 3.22.

But is it statistically significant mp? Somehow I guess not, but no doubt someone could do the maths.

But is it statistically significant mp? Somehow I guess not, but no doubt someone could do the maths.

Probably not, Five - my A level maths was a very, very long time ago. I'm just pointing out that Andy really hasn't had that bad a season so far. 11 wins out of 14 matches is a record most of the pros on the tour would kill for.

Probably not, Five - my A level maths was a very, very long time ago. I'm just pointing out that Andy really hasn't had that bad a season so far. 11 wins out of 14 matches is a record most of the pros on the tour would kill for.

Indeed. Incidentally, what is ( & when was) Andy's longest unbroken run of wins?